Seeding Change? The Future of Our Farms and Communities

How can agriculture contribute to the long-term economic and cultural viability of Illinois communities?

Seeding Change is a series that will travel to Greenville, Shelbyville, and Cobden to gather people to talk about the future of agriculture and rural Illinois communities - complete with a delicious meal and local entertainment to feed both mind and body.

Events

Each event will feature a presentation by Simon King of Carnegie Mellon University Design Center

About the Program

In recent decades, farming across Illinois has evolved dramatically in the face of technological, environmental, and economic change. Join us for an evening of food, music, and conversation as we discuss possible future developments in agriculture and their potential impacts upon rural communities in Illinois, featuring perspectives from within and beyond the region.

What are some of the most significant opportunities and challenges facing small farms and industrial agriculture in our state at present?

How might ongoing technological innovation benefit small farmers as well as industrial agriculture?

How can agricultural producers achieve a healthy combination of profitability and ecological stewardship?

How might that combination contribute toward the long-term economic and cultural viability of local communities?

In late August, we’ll be visiting three Illinois communities to learn how people there might answer such questions.

These events will feature remarks by Simon King, who grew up on a farm in rural Michigan and is now the director of the Carnegie Mellon University Design Center. Drawing on his first-hand experience with both farming and design, he’ll talk about how technological innovation might shape the future of small farms and industrial agriculture alike and perhaps combine some of the positive attributes of different approaches to farming.

We’ll then hear from people knowledgeable about agriculture within the region, who will respond to Simon King’s presentation from a regional perspective and share thoughts about how potential agricultural shifts could affect local communities in the coming years.

A free meal highlighting locally grown and prepared food will provide an opportunity for conversation in which all participants will be welcome to participate. The evening will conclude with a musical performance.

We hope you’ll join us to discuss these critical issues – and to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Illinois’s farming communities.

Illinois Humanities respects the privacy of its audiences and will at no time sell or distribute personal information to any party not directly affiliated with Illinois Humanities and its programs.

Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations or our funders.